The growing adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) is generating unprecedented demand for network capacity, but connectivity infrastructure that power technology often goes unnoticed.

Speaking to Computer Weekly, Jürgen Hatheier, vice president and global chief technology officer of Ciena, a provider of network systems, services and software, noted that AI for the telecommunications world is still a mystery: “Nobody knows exactly what the impact is on networks of telecommunications. it will be, except there will be a lot more traffic.”

He pointed towards the rapid pace of AI innovationnoting that even two years ago, the transformative potential of apps like ChatGPT was underestimated. The impending explosion of AI applications, from big view models which processes 4K video streams to generate personalized movies, will put unprecedented pressure on existing networks.

Training complex models to power these applications requires massive computing power, often located in data centers strategically placed near renewable energy sources. Inference – the process of interacting with these models using real-world data – also generates significant traffic flow. Submarine cables, with their large capacity and global coverage, are well positioned to facilitate both training and inference workloads.

Hatheier acknowledged that while current capacity may be sufficient for current needs, future demands will require significant expansion. “Do we have enough capacity today? For today’s needs, yes, but for future needs, absolutely not,” he said, citing the 40-month timeline for new submarine cable builds as evidence of growing demand.

He also emphasized the importance of strategic planning for service providers in the evolving AI landscape. “It’s not just about the technical aspects, it’s also about the business strategy,” he said.

Ciena offers TV companies how to position themselves in the AI ​​ecosystem, moving beyond their traditional role as connectivity providers. He pointed to SKT’s success in developing its own AI chipset and platform as a prime example of a telecommunications company that has successfully navigated this transition.

In the Asia-Pacific region, Ciena is actively engaged with customers to support their growth ambitions. “We’re very active on the subsea side,” Hatheier said, noting Ciena’s work on improving capacity for existing subsea cables. A single upgraded cable, he added, can now carry the equivalent capacity of the entire Starlink network.

Beyond submarine cables, Ciena works with service providers to build terrestrial backhaul networks and facilitate the transition to network-as-a-service offerings. This involves modernizing legacy systems, enabling automation and orchestration, paving the way for autonomous networks.

“We help TV companies open up networks and make them available as a commodity,” Hatheier said. This will allow cloud providers and application developers to use the network for innovative services, such as those offered by gaming companies that provide unique experiences for users, he added.

Addressing the modernization challenges TV companies face in capitalizing on the AI ​​wave, Hatheier suggested a top-down approach, starting with business vision and strategy before tackling the underlying technology stack. He also emphasized the importance of abstraction layers and adopting newer technologies such as a 50-gigabit. passive optical network (PON) to increase agility and efficiency as well network cutting for critical applications such as emergency services.

“In every conversation about AI, including hyperscale ones, the connectivity element doesn’t get much attention,” he said, adding that connectivity should be an integral part of planning, not an afterthought. “The industry has done a great job of connecting everyone, but we shouldn’t take it for granted, especially when technological innovation is happening at such a rapid pace.”